Human Development, Family Studies, at National Louis University

National Louis University's Human Development, Family Studies program stands out sharply in a field where graduates typically struggle financially. While the national median for this degree is just $33,543, NLU graduates earn $46,954—nearly 40% more. Among Illinois programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, substantially outperforming even the flagship University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by over $17,000. That's a meaningful earnings advantage in a helping profession where many programs leave graduates scrambling.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $28,096, graduates borrow slightly more than the Illinois median but considerably less than the national typical burden. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, most graduates should be able to manage payments on these loans while building stable careers in family services, child development, or counseling roles. The fact that 57% of students receive Pell grants suggests NLU successfully serves lower-income students without saddling them with crushing debt.

For families considering human development programs, this represents one of the stronger economic outcomes available. If your child is committed to working with families and children, NLU's combination of above-average earnings and manageable debt creates a sustainable career path—something surprisingly rare in this field. The premium results justify the investment.